Submersible structure



Aug. 7, 1945. T. G. MYERS 2,381,615

SUBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE Original Fil ed Nov. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MA) 6 ATTORNEY Thomas Mqers 3 Sheets-.Sheet 3 T. a. MYERS SUBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 8, 1937 Aug. 7, 1945.

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\ N v E N TOR Myers ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 7, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT O CE 7 US. Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California .Original application November 8, 1937, Serial No.

173,434, now Patent No. 2,318,181,- dated May 4, .1943. Divided and this applicationJuly 31, 1942; Serial No. 453,127

9 Claims. (Cl. 286-11) This invention relates to submersible structures, such as submersible electricmotors adapted to be lowered in a well for driving a pump directly connected to the motor. This application is a division of an application filed in the name of Thomas G. Myers, on November 8,1937,

Serial No.,173,434, andfentitled.fsubmersible Ztrugture, no'w PatentNo. 2,318,181, issued May 1 43. j

Usually the material pumped from'the well is of such character as to be harmful to the motor should it enter intothe motor casing. For example, when water is pumped, it should be kept away from the windings and contactingparts', so as not to cause electricalcircuits to be improperly established, thatyvould disable the motor. Also, such liquids usually carry, grit, sand or other foreign matter that would quicklyfruin the bearings insideof the motor. Accordingly it is of considerable importance tosegregate the casing interior as completely as possible from the liquid in which it is submerged. i

It is one of the objects of this invention: to make it possible in a simple and effective manner to ensure against entry of th external liquid'to the operating parts of the motor It has been proposed in thepast to provide rotaryseals of various kinds to effectthis result, the sealsbeing disposed aroundthe shaft that necessarily must extendout of the motor casing. However, since the motor casing is subjected to varying. liquid pressure, dependent upon the depth at which it is submerged, these ordinary seals have been found quiteinadequate. It is an; otherobject of this invention to providea dou ble seal efiect to ensure to .agreater degree against failure of the seal.v t

It is another object of this invention to utilize the rotating contact surface type of seal to sup-: plement a liquid seal. Y Q M It is still another object of this inventionto provide a combination liquid seal, such as, mere cury, and a seal .formed' by contact betweena pair of relatively rotatable members, the mercury overlappingthe region of contact.

. It is still another object: of thispinvention to improve in general, seals embodying ,suchrelatively rotatably. members. i l

This invention possesses many other .advane tages, and has other objects whichmay be made more easily apparent from a considerationof several embodiments of the invention. For this pure pose there are shown a few formsin the drawings accompanying and. forming, part-of the pres ent specification. These formsryvill. now-be de-.

scribed in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is, best defined by the appended claims.

Referring tothe drawings: 1 v Figure 1 is a view, mainly in longitudinal section, of a structure embodying the invention, shown as submerged in a well; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view ofthe structure shown in Fig. 1, and particularly showing the construction of the seal for the submersible structure; Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating further modifications of the seal; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of a submersible structure in which the rotating shaft extends downwardly from the casing;

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views showing modifications of the structure illustrated inFig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a still further. modification of the seal;

and i Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a seal similar to that of Fig. 3, but incorporating precautionsagainst deterioration and corrosion of the sealing members.

The general character of the submersible structure is illustrated to best advantage in Fig. 1. In this figure there is shown a well casing l. Within the well there is shown the submersible electrical motor 2, which provides at its upper extremity a driving shaft 3 adapted to be. connected, for example, to a pump, not shown, for pumping liquid from the well. The electrical motor 2 is shown as submerged within the liquid 4, which in most instances is Water.

' The electrical motor 2 is most conveniently of the induction motor squirrel cage type, having primary or'stator windings 5. These windings are adapted to be connected, as by the aid of cable 6, to a suitable source of electrical power. at the top of the well. l V

Since the liquid 4 carries foreign particles or dirt, the bearings supporting shaft 3 must be guarded against entry of thisli'quid. Furthermore, the windings of the motor, 2 must also be kept separate from this liquid, for otherwise it would quickly disable the motor. r In order to secure theseresults, a casing structure is provided which is so arranged that the liquid 4 is excluded from the parts that need to be the heavy liquid or mercury 34 is shown as di'sposedwithin a IOtBIY-CUPZEH In this way; some centrifugal action is imparted'to' the liquid '34, causing it to pack rather tightly against the sealingmembers.

By appropriate choice of areas of the'rotary and non-rotary sealing members, which are exposed to the liquid pressures existing within and without the casing.- it is possible tocause a preponderance of pressure-urging the members together :to sealing-position; andif desired, this pressure urging the members together-may be increased by increasingthe pressure within the casing over that existing outside the casing. I

. Theuse of the sylphon or flexiblemember between the stationary. memberand the'contact surface, prevents .Vibration inthis part from being transmitted to the junction of the sealing surface which would tend to breakthe seal. This flexiblemember also allows the sealing surfaces to follow inaccuracies in+the contacting members andmisalignment of the -shaft3 andother inaccuracy tending; to open the. sealing surface. However, it is possible to use several other modifications as farasthe disposal of the liquid seal fioncemed, I, q

.In Fig.3 for example,; the shaft 38 which extends through a clearance aperture 39 in the top flange of the tubular-extension 40, carries a different form of rotary member .to provide the seal-. ing effect. .In this form therotarysealing mem ber4I is shown as having a downwardly directedflange 4,2 and I as being. in fluid tight connection with the shatt,39,.-as. bythe aid 'of-the'nut 43. 1

There is provided ;a nQn-U otarycup 44 having its upper edge incontactl with the lower, edgeof flange .42 to provide theannular sealing surfaces. This. cup 44 is provided'with an inner annular flange 45 which extends considerablybeyond thecontacting surfaces. The cup-44.is;filled, as before, with a heavy liquid :46, such as mercury. Furthermore, the cup 44' issupported onthe top of .a metal bellows fl the bottomfof which is fastened to a collar 48. collar in turn is fastened in liquid tight manner, as by screws 49 to the top surface ct thecollar formedvin boss I5. I fhe compression spring50 has, its lower end supported on a flanged seat ;5I;disposed over the collar "49. Its upperend urges the cup 44 upwardly to maintain sealing contact between the relativelyrotatable members 42 and 44. I

In this instance the. cup 44.;which holds the mercury 46 is non-rotary The sealin liquid 46 isplaced inside oflthe contacting surfacesand overlaps these contacting surfaces. ln Fig. 2 the upper surface of themercury34 is in contact with the waterfof thewell; .butin form lof Fig. 3, this of the casing. .The water of the well may enter around shaft 38 through clearance hole 39 and will be kept onfthe outside of the metal bellows As thus fardisclose d in th e two mQd fications,

members. the form. shown ina Figs/l. this arrangementis reversedrtThe shaft 89 in this inl upper surface is in contact ,withl the oil fillingtheliquid seal is disposed on the interior of the. space. ;bounded I by the relatively. rotary sealing the 'non rotary sealing member 94.

the submersible structure.

stance, extending out of the casing 99, is shown as carrying the rotary sealing member or cup 9|; This rotary sealing member 9| has an intermediate flange 92, as well as the outer flange 93;- The'intermediate flange 92 is contacted by This nonrotary" sealing member 94 is supported on the end of the metal bellows 95. The upper end of this metal bellows is supported on the top flange 96 of the tubular extension 91. Compression spring 98 urges the non-rotary member 94 into c'ontact'with the top'edge of the intermediate annular flange 92.- I I I l The heavy sealing liquid or mercury 99 in this instance is disposed in the annular space exterior of the sealing surfaces'and overlapping these sealingsurfaces. Thus the upper surface of the liquid 99 is in contact with the oil filling of the casmg 90. I

:In the former the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, the fluid tight casing III) is shown as having the tubular extension III. The shaft I I3 extends through'the clearance aperture I I2 of this extension. Sealing between the inside and the outside of the casing I IDis provided in this instance by the aid of a rotary cup structure II4 carried by the shaft II3 within the extension II. This rotary cup structure has an outer annular flange I;I5,-as well as an intermediate annular flange I I6. The top of this intermediate annular flange H6 isin contact-with the lower edge of the nonrotary member In. This non-rotary member III is supported at the bottom of the metal bellowsor sylphon I I8. The top of the sylphon II8 isfastened to the top flange of the extension III.

Compression :spring II9 urges the two contacting surfaces together as before.

.In-this instance there are two supplemental liquidseals, onewithin, and one exterior of, the contacting surfaces. Thus the liquid seal I20 is located inside of the annular flange I I6 and overlaps the areaof contact between the rotary and non-rotary sealing members. The liquid seal I2l is disposed in the annular space between flanges II5 -and IIS'and likewise overlaps the area of contact. :In this form of the invention the surfaces of the liquid seals are in contact respectively with the oil inthecasing and the water in the well. I

Still another form of the invention is illustrated in-Figi-Gi In this form of the invention the casing I22 isprovided with an inwardly extending bearing boss I23, as well as with a supplemental hollow extension I24. The shaft I25 extends uping respectively opposite edges of'the non-rotary annular member I29; This annular member I29 issupported-as bythe aid of its flange I39 upon the top wall of easing I22. The metal bellows I25 and I 26 are respectively fastened to the rotary collars I3I- and I32 placed-below and above the annular member [29; A spacer sleeve I33 between these collars servesto provide an appropriate means for transmitting the thrust of the nut I34 to the-lower collar I3I in the process of assembling the apparatus.

The space defined by the members I28 and I29, and bellows I25 and I26'is not directly connected with either the inside or the outside of However, by the aid ofthe conduit I35 and a connection I36, a liquid seal, .such as mercury I31, is supplied to this space and is kept under 'a". sufficient head of mer cury. Fonexample, the conduitl itt may lead to an. elevated supply reservoir I39 located slightly above the seal structure. H In this way there is always slight pressure diiferentialwithin the s'paceinwhich the mercury seal I3! is located, urging the {mercury outwardly against the sealing'surfaces H I UV In theform of the invention illustrated in Fig. fletlie shaft [5d carriesthe rotary sealing member lbdjas by the aidof the metallic. .ellows I56 and the collar I51. The rotarysealing member I 55 isv in contact with theinneredge of a nonet' i 11 fiis no ted on a ho l 1 0 f casing-III. Compression spring Hi9v urges the twosealing surfaces together. The liquid seal lfi fl is disposed within the cup I58 and exterior of the contacting surfaces. The ,surface of the liquid; seal I60 is in contactwith the waterof thewelL, g p v It is ot.essentiaLinorder to utilizethe seals correspondingto this invention ina casing, that the shaft extend upwardly out of the casing. In the forms ofpthe invention illustrated in Figs. 8.3 and 10 the-shafts areshown as extending dow. a u y... om, th fl id tight casin Thus in the form of Fig.8 the motor 2 is shown as having a shaft I6l extending downwardly fil iQl ghthe bottom flange I62 .of thebearing housing n ember I63.., A downwardly extending tubular extension I64 is provided surrounding theshaft, I 6I. Supported on theshoulder I65 surrounding shaft IN, is an annular non-rotary sealing.memberl,66. ,Itis held in place by the upperend surface. of the threaded end of.tubular extension I64.

Contacting the lower edge of the non-rotary member I66 is. the, upperedge. of a rotary cup memberlfil. This cup member. is supported by the metal bellows I68, thelowervend of which issupported on the collar...I69 fastened to a shaft I6I. Compression spring .I'II] urges the twosealingmembers I66 and I61 together. In this case also aheavy liquid seal.l'|,l, such asmercury, overlaps the areas of contact between the sealingmembers. It isdisposed inside ofthe cup I 61 and fills the v intervening space between the metallic bellows I68 and the shaft ISI.

In order to make it possible to replenish. the liquidseal I.I.I, a.. feedingtube H2 is shown .as supported in the. wall of the housing I63 and leading downwardly intothe space formed be-. tween the stationary member I66 and the shaft.

IBI, This tube may be closed fluid tight, as by theaid of a taper threaded plug I13.

Inthe form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9, the casingI'I I is shown as having a tubular.

. non-rotary sealing members. Inorder to pro- .I8'I." In this instance it isapparent that the surface of the liquid seal I85 isin contact with the interior filling of the casing I14.

In the form of the invention illustrated inIig. 10, the casing I14 is provided with a depending annular non-rotary sealing. member I92. .The bottom edge thereof is adaptedto be in sealing contactwith the rotary cup member I93. This cup member is urged upwardly, as by.a compression spring I94, resting upon. the top surface of a collar I95 attached .130 the shaft I99.. This shaft extends downwardlyoutof the casing I14. Of course, as before,.a metal bellows I91 isprovided to isolatethespaces on'opposite sides of the seal. In thiscase. a rotary cup member I98 isalso supported on-the shaft. Illand surrounds the sealinemembers I92yand I93. A sealin liquid I99 is placed within the cup member I99 and extends .on the outsideof the sealing surfaces and overlaps them. Thesurface of sealing liquid I89 is .in contact with the liquidin thewell. I I

.It may often be desirable to pass a lubricant directly to the contacting surfaces. This may conveniently be done by placing-the-lubricant liquid filling the casing in communication,-

through restricted openings, with the sealing surfaces. The restricted. openings may beformed-by the aid of porous material forming oneofthe'two right tubular extension 251. 'Iothis tubular exextension I'I 5 fast ened to the bottom thereon Throughthis extension extends the. shaft 116.;

This shaft I16 passes through the clearance aperture II'I formed in the bottom of member I15.

An. inner annular flange. I'I8 forms a non-rotary.

nular flange I18 and, extendsupwardly to .over

lap the area. of contact between the rotary and sion .is fastened the non-rotary annular sealing member 258.. The lower surfaceof this member 2581s contacted by the rotary-sealing member 259. This rotary sealing member maybe carried bythe metal bellows 26'0 fastened-to the rotary collar 29I, which in turn is attached to the shaft- 259. The compression spring 282 urges the two sealing members together. I g -Capillary ports 263 are indicated extending from the surface contact through the rotary member 259 to the-interiorof the casing 255. These passageways carry the' lubricating material, such as oil, to the-sliding surfaces between the sealing members. In this form of the invention it is preferableto utilize for the rotary seal 259, such materialas graphite bronze or impregnated wood. v

The character ot-the connection with all or the seals illustrated; in these various modifications may be given some consideration. In-some instances one oith'e two relatively-rotary members may be made from a metal which forms amercuryamalgam, such as The'liquid seal being-Lin the formjof a body of mercury, reacts with the metal and copper.

forms an amalgam-that acts somewhat as an oil film. The effect or providingthe amalgam atthe contacting surfaces is tosmooth out any inequal-' contacting surfaces in ness for extended periods of operation.v As ex-- amples of the characterof these contacting surfaces, may be mentionedbronze or steel, hardened as by carburizingQ The steel may be hardened, in addition, as by nitriding it. .Anotherform of seal may be formed by nitrided steel on' nitrided steel. These nitrided steels have extreme hardness and withstand wear remarkably Well.

As a substitute for the nitrided steel) chromium plated surfaces may be used for one of the sealing surfaces. The other sealing surface may also be chromium plated steel, or bronze, or even nitrided steel. The important feature is that at least one of the two surfaces is provided with a comparatively hard wearing layer formed as by nitriding, hardening, carburizing or plating. The character of these surfaces discussed applies to all of the forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings.

From a consideration of the description of the various forms of the invention, itis seen that they include the contact of liquid with relatively rotating parts. The liquid may be mercury, oil,

water, carbon tetrachloride, or their equivalents.

It has been found that the liquids in contact may tend to emulsify and to affect the. seal deleteriously. Also, such liquids as mercury tend to combine chemically with the relatively rotating sealing surfaces. For example, bronze or steel rotating in mercury may combine to form a black powder.

In order to obviate these occurrences, the various surfaces in contact with the liquids utilized in the seal maybe protected as by a ceramic enamel, or by baked enamel. The enamel reduces the frictional loss, emulsion is retarded, and since the enamel is inert, chemical action is prevented.

Such a construction may be applied to all of the forms heretofore described. In Fig. 12 the seal is of the same character as illustrated in Fig. 3; that is, there is a rotary member 4| mounted on shaft 38 having a sealing surface in contact with the non-rotary mercury cup member 44. Those areas of members 4| and 44 which are exposed to the mercury 46, the oil in the casing and the Water of the well, are overlaid with a layer of inert material, such as baked enamel, or ceramic enamel, indicated at 269, 210. are at least in partial contact with the mercury 46 and are also in contact with the liquid in the casing.

Such layers are also indicated specifically in Figs 2, 4 and 6. In Fig. 2, the layers 325, 326 thus are intended to overlap the region of contact between the liquids. Similar layers 319, 320 are shown in Fig. 4, while in Fig. 6 sleeve I33 mat be covered thus.

What is claimed is:

1. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, a cup carried by the shaft, a non-rotary member havin an annular surface contacting with the edge of the cup, and carried by the casing, a metal bellows carried by the casing and sup orting said nonrotary member, means urging said cup and member together, and a liquid seal Within the cup overlapping the region of contact.

2. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, an annular rotary cup, having means forming an inner edge carried by the shaft, a metal bellows supported by the casing and surrounding the shaft, a non-rotary member supported by the bellows and having The layers 269 and 270 a surface contacting the inner edge of: the annular cup, and a liquid seal in the cup and overlapping the contacting areas. I Q

3. In a submersiblestructure, acasing, a rotary shaft extendingfrom the casing, a rotary annular cup carried by the shaftand having an xternal annular ed e, as W611 as. another. annular edge incontact with the non-rotary member within the cup, a metal bellows interposed between one of said members and its support, and a liquid seal in the cup overlapping the area of contact.

5. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, a non-rotary member having an annular surface of contact surrounding the shaft, a rotary member having an annular surface engaging said surface of contact, means resiliently urging said surfaces together, and a liquid seal overlapping said surfaces and isolating them from the well liquid, said liquid seal having a surface in free contact with the well liquid.

6. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, a non-rotary member, a rotary member, one of said members having a pair of spaced walls forming a cup of ring-like cross section surrounding the shaft, one of said walls having an annular surface of contact, the other wall extending beyond said surface, the other member having a surface engaging said annular surface, means resiliently urging said members to bring said surfaces together in sealing relation, and a liquid seal in the space between said walls overlapping'said surfaces, and out of contact with the shaft.

'7. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, an annular cup, a non-rotary member supported on the casing and extending into the cup, a rotary member supported onthe shaft having an annular surface of contact with the non-rotary member, said surface of contact being within said cup, a metal bellows interposed between one of said members and its support, and a liquid seal in the cup overlapping the area of contact. i

8. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending from the casing, a non-rotary member having an annular surface of contact surrounding the shaft, a rotary member on said shaft having an annular surfac engaging said surface of contact, means resiliently urging said surfaces together, means forming a liquid seal overlapping said surfaces, and a cylindrical housing enclosed said members and freely admitting well liquid to contact the surface of the liquid seal.

9. In a submersible structure, a casing, a rotary shaft extending vertically from the casing, means forming a cup supported substantially co-axially with the shaft and having a wall spaced radially from the shaft defining with the shaft an annular space about the shaft, means forming a member also having a wall spaced radially from the shaft and defining with the shaft an annular space face contacting the edge of the wall of the cup,

said cup forming means and said members forming means being supported respectively on said shaft and on the casing, a metal bellows interposedbetweenone of said means and its support, means urging said cup forming means and said member forming means toward each "other to bring the contacting surfaces into sealing relation, and a liquid seal in said annular space overlapping the entire circumference of the region of contact.

THOMAS G. MYERS. 

